Bernard Lee Previews 2009 East Coast Poker Tournaments

[Eric]

Poker players repeatedly ask me why I don't move to the West Coast,
specifically Las Vegas, assuming that I would be closer to big poker
tournaments.
However, the truth is that I like the East Coast. Although it is
freezing during the winter, I look forward to going to Boston Celtics
games during the bitter cold months (I have had season tickets for
over 10 years). Remember, the WSOP is played every year, whereas the
Celtics don't make the Finals every season (it had actually been over
20 years since the last time they played for the Championship). Let's
hope they have another tremendous run this summer.
Anyway, back to the East Coast poker discussion. With large prize
pools attracting top players, East Coast players can compete against
very impressive fields for huge sums of money.
Here is sampling of my schedule for the first half of 2009:
JANUARY:

Pokerstars Caribbean Adventure: Additionally, this is the only
tournament during the year in which my family joins me, as it is held
at the magnificent Atlantis Resort on Paradise Island, Bahamas. This
year, the Main Event increased its buy-in to $10,000, which
consequently boosted the first prize to $3 million.
Southern Poker Championship: This WPT event (originally called the
Gulf Coast Poker Championship back in September of 2007) is held at
the beautiful Beau Rivage Resort and Casino in Biloxi, Mississippi. In
this year's event, which had a $1 million first prize, I had a nice
run, making it to Day 3 and finishing in 23rd place.
Borgata Winter Poker Open: This watershed amount was easily surpassed,
as 1,017 entrants participated with a first place prize of over
$650,000.
FEBRUARY:

WSOP Circuit Event, Horseshoe in Council Bluffs, Iowa: After a nice
run last year, I plan to return in 2009, hoping to better my fourth
place finish.
MARCH:

WSOP Circuit Event, Caesar's Atlantic City: Known years ago as the New
England Poker Classic, this WPT event has numerous preliminary events
ranging from $300 to $5,000, culminating with a $10,000 buy-in Main
Event.
MAY:

WSOP Circuit Event, Harrah's New Orleans: The third WSOP Circuit event
held relatively close to the East Coast. Known for its money
presentation using a stuffed alligator, this tournament is the final
WSOP Circuit event of the 2008-2009 season.
JUNE / JULY:

World Series of Poker: This year, in addition to the $10,000 No Limit
Hold'em Main Event and the $50,000 HORSE event, the WSOP is having a
$40,000 No Limit Hold'em event to commemorate the 40th anniversary of
the WSOP.
During the second half of the year, there are also numerous events
held on the East Coast including:

WSOP Circuits events held in Southern Indiana (usually in October),
Chicago area (usually in November), and Atlantic City (usually in
December)
So you see, if you are an East Coast poker player, there is no need to
call your real estate agent and move out to Las Vegas. The East Coast
tournament schedule is alive and well. You can stay here and play in
numerous events throughout the year against some of the best players
in the world.
Good luck to everyone! Posts: January Poker Tournaments at a Glance
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